Method of and apparatus for shaping articles



Aug. 15,

F. MARTINDELL.

METHOD OF ANDv APPARATUS FOR SHAPING ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet l' W@ 4M@ I' .llllll ATTO/PNE? Filed July 2:5. 1943 Aug. 15, 1944.

` MARTINDELL METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Filed July 2s, 1945 4 sheets-smet 2 Aug. 15, 1944. y F. MARTINDELL METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Filed July 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 L y 2 w w n a 4 RHMIM 5 L/ on v/ N/Z M 4 r. 7. 7 G WR A n ,M f n .7 4

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METHD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Filed July 23, 1943 R 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 15, 1944 METHOD F AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Frank Martindell, Western Springs, Ill., assig'nor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 23, 1943, `Serial No. 495,910

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for shaping an article, and more particularly to a method of and apparatus for profiling cards.

In certain types of electrical equipment it is sometimes desirable to employ as variable resistance elements cards of a particular contour having a strand of wire wound spirally thereabout. Where a number of such cards are to be employed, it may be necessary that the contours of the cards be exactly alike. However, it is ditllcult to cut cards of this type to precisely the same dimensions.

Objects of this invention are to provide an elcient and effective method of and apparatus for profiling cards.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a profiling apparatus may be provided in which a stack of cards may be positioned and then cut by a pair of cutting tools which reciprocates transversely of the cards and is intermit` tently advanced longitudinally of the cards. A knife edged cam follower, associated with one of the cutting tools, engages the surface of a master cam during the cutting operation to control the depth of the cut, but is released from the cam when the cutting tools are advanced longitudinally of the cards.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation of a profiling apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a completed card, showing also the relative position of the master cam;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view along the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional View along the line 5--5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a p0rtion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4, showing the cutting tools in advanced position; and

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view along the line 'I-'I of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a profiling apparatus is there illustrated having a pair of spaced pedestal members I0 mounted on a table II and supporting a pair of parallel spaced rails I2 which form ways for the apparatus. A block I3 which serves as a 55 carriage for the cutting tool assembly, to be described hereinafter, is slidably mounted on the ways, being movable longitudinally along the ways by a rotatable threaded shaft I4 which is engageable by a pair of cooperating internally threaded blocks I5 mounted on a vertically disposed end member I3 of the carriage I3.

'Ihe right end of the shaft I4 is rotatably supported in a bearing block I8 mounted on one of the ways I 2, while the left end extends through a bearing block I9 mounted near the other end thereof. 'Ihe intermittent rotation which is required to advance the cutting tools step by step is obtained through a Geneva gear movement 2| which may be enclosed in a housing 22 at the left end of the apparatus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the gear system being connected to the shaft I 4. A short shaft 23 connects the gear system 2| to a speed reduction gear system 24, which is driven by a splined power shaft 25 positioned at the rear of the apparatus and extending the length thereof.

A number of cards 2l to be profiled are supported during the profiling operation by a cross plate 28 which is mounted between two upright supporting members 29 positioned near either end of the apparatus and xed to the beams I2. The cards are clamped to the plate 28 by several bolts 3U, which are mounted in the plate 28 and engage a plate 3| positioned against the outer card. It will be apparent that, by tightening the bolts 3U, the plate 3| may be clamped against the cards 2`I to hold them in position against the cross plate 28. A spacer plate 32 of substantially the same configuration as the clamping plate 3| is positioned between the cards and the cross plate 28. The cards are previously apertured to receive the bolts 3|.

In practice, it has been found desirable in some cases, when profiling thin cards, to assemble a heavy strip 33 of fibre, or other similar material, at either side of the cards 2'I in order to support the edges during the profiling operation and, thus, to prevent bending or breaking of the' upper or lower edges of the cards.

The reciprocable cutting assembly, to be'described hereinafter, is supported on a platform 34 which is mounted on the longitudinally movable block I3, es shown in Fig. 4, being slidable transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the block I3 to reciprocate a pair of knifeedge cutting tools 35 and 36 relatively to the cards 21. In order to align the platform 34 with the block I3 during transverse reciprocation, the lower portion 0f the platform 34 is recessed to form a dovetail slot 61, as shown in Fig. 1, into which extends a dovetail 38, integrally formed with the upper surface of the block I3. A gib 33 is positioned adjacent the dovetail 36 and fixed to the slot 31 to lit the dovetail closely to the slot.

The cutting tools 35 and 36 are positioned respectively above and below the cards so as to proille simultaneouslyboth the upper and lower edges of the cards, the lower vtool reciprocating in a fixed plane with respect to the cards while the plane of reciprocation of the upper tool is adjustable so as to cut the desired contours in the upper edges of the cards. The lower cutting tool 36 is mounted, as shown in Fig. 4, on a forwardly projecting portion 46 of a shoulder 4I integrally formed with the upper surface of the slidable platform 34, while the upper cutting tool is mounted ona forwardly projecting portion 42 of a crossbar 43, both tools being held in position by set screws 44. The crossbar 43 is vertically movable on a pair of parallel spaced posts 45, which extend through apertures 46 formed therein and the bases of which are mounted on the platform 34. The upper ends of the posts are fixed to a second crossbar 41. A pair of parallel spaced rods 50, mounted on the crossbar 43, extend rearwardly therefrom and through apertures I formed in a` crossblock 52 which is positioned at the rear of the apparatus, the rods 50 being slidable therein to permit horizontal reciprocation of the cutting tools with respect to the cards. An aperture 53 is formed in the rear portion of the block 52 to permit a vertically disposed rotatable shaft 54 to extend therethrough, the block 52 being vertically movable with respect thereto.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the upper cutting tool is vertically movable with respect to the lower cutting tool, the crossbar 43 and block 52 moving vertically as a unit to raise or to lower the plane of reciprocation of the upper cutting tool. Since the posts 45, which extend through the crossbar 43, are supported on the slidable platform 34, on which is mounted the lower cutting tool 36, it will also be apparent that the cutting tools move horizontally as a unit and are, consequently, adapted to cut simultaneously both upper and lower edges of strips positioned therebetween, as hereinbefore described. The plane of reciprocation of the upper tool is controlled by a master cam 56 which extends parallel to the ways l2 and is mounted on the upright members 29. As the cutting tools are moved into engagement with the cards 21, a knife-edge cam follower 51, adjustably mounted on a reduced forward portion 56 of the crossblock 52, engages the upper surface of the master cam 56 and supports the upper cutting tool and associated parts, the crossblock 52 being connected to the cutting tool supporting bar 43 by the rods5ll mounted on the bar 43 and extending through the block 52. Since the entire weight of these several parts is supported on the cam follower 51, which rests on the master cam 56, the plane of reciprocation of the upper cutting tool 35 will depend on the contour of the master cam. 'I'he position of the knife-edge cam follower 51 is adjustable with respect to its support by an adjusting screw 59 threaded in the reduced portion 56 of the crossblock 52.

For many purposes, a roller contact could be employed instead of the knife-edge cam follower 51, but where, as in the present instance, the greatest accuracy is required, a cam follower having a knife-edge is more satisfactory, However, the knife-edge, if permitted to rest on the master cam as the cutting assembly is moved longitudinally, would tend to scrape and, consequently, to change the contour of the master cam. Thus, in the present apparatus, a mechanism is provided whereby, during the longitudinal advance of the cutting assembly, the knife edge cam follower is disengaged from the master cam. As the cutting tools are moved out of engagement with the cards `and into retracted position, a pair of cam arms 60, adiustably mounted on the crossbar 43 and extending rearwardly therefrom, engage inclined portions 6I formed adjacent the edges of the forward upper surface of a small lever 62 which is pivotally supported at one end on a pin pivot 63 journalled in the underside of the block 52, which is recessed to receive the lever 62. The cam arms 60 are movable on the crossbar 43 by adjusting screws 64, threaded in the bar 43, and a pair of set screws 65, also threaded in the bar 43, are provided to engage the lower edges of the' cam armsand lock the arms in adjusted position. The other end of the lever 62 carries a roller 66 which rests on the upper surface of the master cam 56 and is mounted on a stud shaft 61 fitted in the end of the lever 62. Thus, as the cam arms 60 engage the portions 6I of the lever 62, the crossbar 43, on which the arms 60 are-mounted, and the crossblock 52 are slightly elevated, the weight of the upper cutting tool and associated parts then being carried by the roller 66. Since the cam follower 51 is mounted on the block 52, it is also, consequently, raised from the surface of the master cam. The operation of this apparatus is timed so that, during the period in which the cutting tools have been moved out of engagement with the cards 21 and the cam follower 51 has been raised from the master cam, the shaft I4 is rotated to advance the cutting assembly.

The cutting tools are reciprocated into and out of engagement with the cards 21 by a pair of eccentrics 10 which are rotatable by the shaft 54, being positioned thereon, one above the other. The lower end of the shaft 54 is journalled in and supported by a rectangular housing block 1I which is fixed to the rear of the longitudinally slidable block I3. A pair of upright columns 12 are xed to either end of the block 1I and support a bolster plate 13, which is mounted between their upper ends, the upper portion of the shaft 54 being joumalled in the bolster plate 13 and extending therethrough. The shaft 54 is rotated by the power shaft 25 through a worm 14 which is splined to the shaft 25 and positioned between bearings 15 which are mounted on the forward portion of the upright columns 12. The worm 14 engages a worm gear 16 mounted on the shaft 54 and is keyed thereto. Thus, as the power shaft 25 rotates, the shaft 54 also rotates.

A pair of bearing plates 16 are associated with the eccentrics 10, each plate having a circular aperture 16 formed therein of such a size as to pivotaliy mounted on this plate and pivotally attached to the lugs 82, xed to the rear of the crossbar 41. The bearing plate which is associated with the lower eccentric is similarly connected to the rear of the slidable platform 34 by a pair of connecting link arms 83 which are pivotally attached to the platform and to the plate. Consequently, as the eccentrics are rotated `by the shaft 54, which is keyed thereto, the

link arms 8| and 83 are reciprocated backwards and forwards by the bearing plates 18 and the cutting tools 35 and 38 are thereby reciprocated transversely with respect to the cards 21.

What is claimed ls:

l. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a support for said cutting means, and means for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means in accordance with a predetermined pattern, said control means acting directly on said support.

2. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, means for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, and means connected directly to said cutting means for engaging said control means during the cutting operation.

3. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, means for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, means associated with said cutting means for engaging said control means, and means associated with said cutting means for disengaging said engaging means from said control means when said cutting means is advanced longitudinally with respect to the article.

4. In a. profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a. master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, and a cam follower carried by said cutting means for engaging the surface of said master cam during the cutting operation.

5. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means for engaging the surface of said master cam during the cutting operation, and means for disengaging said follower from said cam when said cutting means is advanced longitudinally.

6. A profiling apparatus comprising means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said `cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means for engaging the surface of said master cam during the cutting operation, and means actuated in response to said cutting means moving away from said article for disengaging said follower from said cam.

7. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means for engaging the surface of said master cam during the cutting operation, rotatable means engageable with said cam, and means for causing said rotatable means to disengage said follower from said cam at predetermined intervals. d y

8. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, a support for said cutting means, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means with respect to said article, a master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means, a roller rotatably mounted on said cutting means support and engageable with said cam, and means for engaging said roller with said master cam to raise said cam follower from said cam during the advancing of said cutting means.

9. In a profiling apparatus, means for holding an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, a support for said cutting means, -means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means with respect to said article, a master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of said cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means, a roller rotatably mounted on said cutting means support and engageable with said cam, and means for engaging said roller with said master cam, said means being actuated in response to said cutting means moving away from said article.

l0. In a profiling apparatus, means for supporting an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, means for supporting said cutting means, means for reciprocating said cutting means transversely with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a roller, a support for said roller pivotally mounted on the support for said cutting means, a master cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation of the cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means for engaging the surface of said cam, and means associated with said cutting means for engaging the roller with said cam to raise the cam follower from said cam at predetermined intervals.

l1. An apparatus for profiling an article comprising a support for an article to be profiled, means for cutting said article, a. support for said cutting means, means for reciprocating said cutting means 'with respect to said article, means for intermittently advancing said cutting means longitudinally with respect to said article, a roller, a support for said roller pivotally mounted on said cutting means support, a master 5 cam for controlling the plane of reciprocation oi said cutting means, a cam follower associated with said cutting means and mounted on said cutting means support. and a cam arm mounted on said cutting means support and enaseable with said roller support in response to said cutting means moving away from said article to engage said roller with said master cam and to raise said cam follower from said master cam at prede termined intervals.

FRANK MARTINDELL. 

